MLB News

Lewicki serves as 26th man against Pirates

Reliever works 9th inning in Game 2 loss as Tigers split DH

By
Ben WeinribSpecial to MLB.com

PITTSBURGH -- After recalling outfielder Mike Gerber on Monday to give the team an extra bat for their series against the Pirates, the Tigers added their 26th man to the bullpen for Wednesday's doubleheader.

Right-hander Artie Lewicki joined the team from Triple-A Toledo and appeared in the nightcap -- allowing two runs on four hits in the eighth inning of the Tigers' 8-3 loss.

PITTSBURGH -- After recalling outfielder Mike Gerber on Monday to give the team an extra bat for their series against the Pirates, the Tigers added their 26th man to the bullpen for Wednesday's doubleheader.

Right-hander Artie Lewicki joined the team from Triple-A Toledo and appeared in the nightcap -- allowing two runs on four hits in the eighth inning of the Tigers' 8-3 loss.

Lewicki appeared in four games for Detroit last season and has made three starts with Toledo this season with a 5.79 ERA. In his most recent Triple-A start, he spun six scoreless innings with three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts.

"He's got all the pitches, it's just making sure he gets them in the right spots," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It's about location. He's been doing fine. He's one of those guys that will always be talked about when the moment arises."

The Mud Hens have been playing in Pawtucket, and Lewicki got the news after Tuesday's game. He was picked up in a car at 5 a.m., drove to Boston, flew into Pittsburgh, and got to PNC Park by noon.

"I had coffee this morning, and I'll be on adrenaline out there later," Lewicki said. "That's for sure."

Lewicki got to play with former college teammate John Hicks, who was behind the plate in the nightcap. As a freshman at Virginia, Lewicki played with Hicks, then a juniorl.

Low-key birthday for NorrisTigers left-hander Daniel Norris turned 25 on Wednesday, but he's not big into celebrating. His parents made the seven-hour drive up from Tennessee, and they got dinner after Tuesday's rainout, but Norris said that pitching on his birthday always just feels like another day.

"I kind of hate birthdays," said Norris, who gave up a run in two innings of relief in the nightcap. "They're kind of weird. It's just a year's passed, and it's just another day to get out there and play the game I love. I don't think there's any significance, it's just another year around the sun."

Norris had great success the previous two times he pitched on his birthday in pro ball. In 2015, he spun seven one-run innings against the Rays with seven strikeouts, and he threw six innings of one-run ball in 2016 for Toledo.